Journal of Security and Sustainability Issues

The methodical approach to the integrated evaluation of the energy independence of the country and its regions has been improved based on the multidimensional mean, which includes the selection of statistical indicators, the choice of the base of their normalization, the use of the analytic hierarchy process for evaluation of weighting coefficients and the method of aggregation of indicators in the integrated evaluation of energy independence. Using the coverage ratio of consumption with the production of fuel and energy resources, the state of energy dependence has been analyzed for some world countries, which have successes in conducting the energy policy and experience of which should be implemented in the national strategy for the development of the energy complex. The calculation of integral indicators of energy independence for each region will make it possible to determine the “strong” and “weak” regions in the energy sector, identify the reasons of lagging of the most “energy-dependent” areas, and develop appropriate recommendations for improving energy independence for each region.

The aim of the article is to explicate methodology, facilitating the evaluation of biomass cluster‘s impact to the growth of the energetic independence and national security. The analysis of the biomass clusters‘ impact to the energetic security is related to the critical analysis of the resources as well as to the analysis of the secondary data. The conception of a biomass cluster is relatively new as it emerged basically given the complex geopolitical situation and the aim of the pursuit for some energetic alternatives. The cluster unites enterprises, operating in some certain region and engaged in biomass preparation, logistics and burning. The main impetus of the cluster activity is the objective of the consumers‘ provision by some local renewable energy. Some serious issues, related to the energetic resources consumers‘ behaviour, are often occurring in the states where import-based structure of energy prevails. Lacking some competition and local production, both energetic and national state security is “walking with a limp“. Under the above circumstances, a biomass cluster may become a counterweight from monopoly-based import, ipso facto, increasing national security of the state itself. In the latter case, some stable energy supply would be assured and the price would be based on the market but not on the shifts of the geopolitical situation. The authors have created the following research methodology, contributing the evaluation of the benefit of the local resources use.

Critical Energy Infrastructures can suffer different impacts from accidents and natural disasters which concern the whole energy system and specific functional aspects of Energy Security as well. A negative energy event -i.e. a strategic refinery blockade due to an accident- can provide useful experiences which demonstrate the connection among logistic efficiency, resilience and Energy Security. Spanish refinery Puertollano suffered an accident in year 2003 which stopped oil logistics in a significant part of the country. Military oil refined products logistics in Spain are managed by CLH oil products logistic company -operating in the framework of a Public-Private Partnership and civil-military cooperation model- and then this enterprise facilitated the implementation of a resilience measures aimed to guarantee the operation of oil products logistic chain in the affected area. Management of Puertollano refinery crisis in 2003 showed positive results for ensuring National Energy Security, market and business normal function, system stability and infrastructure re-adjustment. This crisis advanced criteria and lesson learned for Critical Energy Infrastructure Protection and business continuity planning.

The relevance of this article is based on the aim to fulfill the lack of understanding of public perception on energy security. Despite the fact that energy security problems in Lithuania are analyzed on a regular basis, however, there is no comprehensive research on the very issue of the public perception of energy security. The results of the empirical survey (public poll carried out in 2013) are used to explain the public perception of energy security and its main aspects, and to show the existing difference of society opinion between different social groups in regard to gender, age, education, occupation, income and living area. The research showed that variety of different aspects are taken into account in public perception on energy security. The dominance of “The prices of energy resources” (mean – 4.35) and “Reliability of energy supply services” (mean – 4.25) was fixated throughout different social groups. The three most ambivalently ranked aspects were “Development of oil extraction” (mean – 3.50), “Development of nuclear energy” (mean – 3.30) and “Development of shale gas extraction” (mean – 3.08).

The paper gives an analysis of changes in the refinery business ownership structure in two “new” EU members: Poland and Croatia, after their shift to market based economy. The key area of analysis refers to the state control over refinery assets as a tool of national energy security. Refinery sectors in both countries are presented focusing on their respective strengths and weaknesses. Changes in ownership structure of three major players: INA, LOTOS and PKN ORLEN are reviewed in order to establish how they affected sustainability and development of these entities. The paper takes into account not only the interests of Poland and Croatia, but also refers to Hungary, Czech Republic and Lithuania. The analysis was performed with regards to the general trends and expectations in the European refinery sector. Our conclusions indicate that state control over key refinery assets represent a valuable tool for energy policy and, in cases when lost, it has to be compensated by other measures. If refining capacity is left unchecked and uncontrolled energy security of the country is easily threatened. This situation often leads to an almost paradoxical situation where the energy security of individual EU member countries can easily be in conflict with the overall EU energy security policy and guidelines.